Operation Safe Lot

(March 12, 2014) Today, Mayor Pedro E. Segarra announced that the Goodwin Park Golf Course would be open and ready for play by spring of this year. On February 24th, the City of Hartford authorized a contract with the Connecticut Chapter of the Professional Golf Association (CT PGA) to manage operation and maintenance of the course.

The Knox Parks Foundation (KNOX), a Hartford non-profit focused on fostering civic engagement through horticulture, will also play a major role in the restoration, including securing a local workforce.

“Delivering the services Hartford residents expect and deserve is critical to us becoming one of America’s Best Capital Cities,” said Mayor Segarra. “Restoring these golf courses is a step in that direction and I’m pleased to be working with experts like the CT PGA to make sure best practices are followed every step of the way. Our parks serve the region however, whenever possible, major projects should be leveraged for the direct benefit of Hartford residents which is why KNOX’s involvement is so important.”

“We have a contract drafted and we’re ready to go,” said Superintendent of Public Works Director Tom Baptist. “CT PGA will help direct KNOX work on the course, and oversee the day-to-day work of running the facility.These efforts, as well as substantial work on the trees of the parks, are part of Mayor Segarra’s comprehensive plan to improve the attractiveness of the City’s parks, increase their use by City residents, and enhance their ecological value.”

“As the Municipal Golf Course Consultant, the Connecticut Section PGA will be serving as the Director of Golf Operations for the City of Hartford in 2014,” said Tom Hantke, executive director for the PGA section. “It is our objective and mission to provide a scope of golf services in both scale and standard that will be representative of our partnership with the City.”

Mayor Segarra also released details on continuing work at Hartford’s other City-owned golf course at Keney Park. The City has partnered with Dusenberry Design, Inc., to create a draft repair and restoration master plan, and has filed permits with the City and neighboring Windsor, CT, to begin work. Leonardo Rodriguez Cross, of Bridgeport’s Rodriguez Associates, has been hired to design structural repairs for the clubhouse, maintenance facility and cart barn.

Keney Park as a whole is currently undergoing substantial maintenance work, including tree removal, underbrush clearing and trash pickup. The efforts, along with work on the golf facilities, will continue throughout 2014, with the course scheduled to open for play by spring of 2015.

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For Immediate Release: March 12, 2014

Contact: Maribel La Luz

p. (860) 757-9731

c. (860) 539-5485

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